NC voters will be asked to weigh in on one constitutional amendment this year. Here’s what to know.

Republicans say the amendment will “clarify” that non-citizens can’t vote, but opponents say the constitution and state law already make that clear.

What to know about statewide ballot amendments

The candidates running for political office won’t be the only thing you’ll vote for this November, North Carolina. 

On the bottom of your ballot, after all the races, you’ll also be asked about an amendment to the state constitution. Keep reading to learn more about what to expect and how amendments make it onto the ballot.

How does it work?

Each state has its own rules about ballot measures, which allow citizens to vote directly on whether to pass a statute or amendment to the state constitution. Since there is no process for federal ballot amendments, these questions will only pertain to state issues.

The process varies from state to state, but in North Carolina, the only statewide ballot measures we have are legislatively referred constitutional amendments. That means that if our legislature wants to change anything in the state constitution, it must be approved first by NC’s citizens. 

To end up on the ballot, an amendment must receive a supermajority in the NC General Assembly. Constitutional amendments can’t be vetoed by the governor, so all they need to be placed on the ballot is 60% of the vote–that’s 72 votes in the House and 30 in the Senate. 

Then when we hit the polls in November, it works just like a referendum; you vote for or against the amendment, and if it receives a simple majority, it becomes law.

So, what will be on your North Carolina ballot this November?

The NC legislature referred just one constitutional amendment to the ballot, which would tweak the language regarding voter eligibility. 

The constitution currently states that every person above the age of 18 who was born in the U.S. or naturalized as a citizen can vote, and, according to its Republican supporters, this amendment would clarify that “only a U.S. citizen” who is at least 18 years old is permitted to vote. 

The amendment comes with plenty of controversy. NC law and the constitution already forbids non-citizens from voting, so critics say the referendum is an attempt by Republicans to increase interest in the 2024 election among conservatives, who are more likely to cite immigration as a concern. 

What amendments didn’t make the cut? 

NC Republicans proposed two other amendments to the General Assembly, but they didn’t receive the supermajority required to appear on the ballot. 

The first would’ve clarified that a photo ID is required for all types of voting, not just in-person voting, and the second would’ve capped income tax at 5% rather than the current 7%. 

Like the citizens-only voting amendment, they wouldn’t have made practical changes, just solidified the status quo. 

Are you ready to vote? Make sure to check your voter registration status, see who’s on your ballot, and make a voting plan by clicking here.